Red Stripe steps up for a good cause

From as far back as its days as Desnoes and Geddes Ltd, Red Stripe has been heavily involved in community-based activities with either cash or kind.

In recent times, the company has donated about $100 million to restore potable water supplies after the island was hit by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

The company has also donated cash and motorbikes to United Way and the Jamaica Cancer Society and assisted many non-profit or charitable organisations.

Their latest involvement has come in support of the 'We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital' initiative that was started in 2011.

The group recognises the urgent need for improved services and better equipment at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. Through fund-raising efforts from like-minded stakeholders, including American Friends of Jamaica, Digicel, Junior Plus Preparatory School, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Sandals Foundation, Fontana and Mega Mart, over US$140,000 has been raised.

1.8m target

We Care for Cornwall aims to raise US$1.8M and is urging the business community and residents to get involved.

And that is exactly what Red Stripe is doing as one of the lead sponsors for the Rainforest Seafood Festival set for tomorrow at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay. The festival will be an epicurean delight and will highlight the best of Rainforest's diverse seafood offerings through well-known restaurants and chefs, including Scotchies, The Pelican Grill, Fish Pot, Pier One, Mobay Proper, and Spring Garden Café, among many others.

Red Stripe will be providing some of the liquid refreshment and other things as well.

Conscientious brand

"Well, it's a day-time festival and it offers seafood and Red Stripe Light goes well with that, but also it is a charity event and we wanted to be a part of that as well," said Erin Mitchell, brand manager at Red Stripe.

"As a conscientious Jamaican brand, we are always happy to help out where we can. It is very important for us to give back to the people who have supported us over the past 85 years."

In a bid to help the organisers minimise their costs so that more money can be channelled towards the charity, Red Stripe is setting up bars at the venue free of cost and is providing drinks at heavily discounted prices.

This means attractive drink specials for the thousands expected to attend.

"This is in addition to cash that we are providing," Mitchell said.

This is our way, she said, of ensuring that patrons have a good time, even while drinking responsibly, for a good cause.

A stellar line-up of entertainers is down to provide musical entertainment for the day, including Ken Boothe, Chronixx, Tifa, Beenie Man, I-Octane and Romain Virgo.